Reddit reviews (ST-SIZE6) Professional Dress Form Female Half Body Size 6 Collapsible shoulder

My two cents: Everybody I know who has purchased a cheap dress form has come to regret it, or say that they never get any use out of it because it is unstable, the dials get in the way, it doesn't easily hold pins, etc.

I've never heard anybody say, "Hey I really regret that evening I spent making a duct tape dress form!" Actually I have heard a few people say that they like their duct tape dress forms. So if you have a low budget, there's really not any harm that can come from attempting to make your own! You could end up loving it, and the worst case is that you decide you'd rather purchase one instead.

I have been a craft/hobby sewer since 2005, and finally took the dress form plunge this spring by buying this dress form on Amazon. The downside is that she is not adjustable, but I know that you can give certain areas padding to make sure that you get a proper fit if you need to (my bust matches the form's measurements but not my waist!) But for me, exact measurement matches just weren't as big of a priority. I am more interested in learning to drape, and use my form often to model my works in progress/finished projects, and did I mention that she also just looks damn cool in my studio!

No! Resist! I am going to school for design and I bought one very similar to this one. You cannot use it for draping. If it is adjusted to any size other than the smallest setting you cannot pin due to the gaps on the sides. Also, in the real sewing world there are specific sizes that you use 0,2,4,6,..... etc. Yes, it is AWESOME to have things custom to the person you are making the garment for, but you need to know that there is a pretty regulated sizing standard that will be used and it might be a good idea just to get one off of amazon. You may want to look at a dress form that has collapsible shoulders, that way you can get the garment over the shoulders of the form (collapsible shoulders mimic putting the arms above the head).
When I had my Singer dress form it broke. Not because I am reckless, but because there are metal spoke like things that bare a lot of tension and they connect to a thin plastic base. These broke off leaving the adjustments useless. Also the fabric ripped on my dress form (crappy foam and fabric on top), and the form would actually slide down when ever I adjusted it to the height I desired.
Again, I sugest that you get a different kind. One that has a foot pedal adjustment, that is in a standard size, has collapsible shoulders, and is covered in nicer fabric.
Now remember, if you go with a nicer one they are usually made of paper mache on the inside, be careful around water. Now for the plastic ones, you need to be careful with irons, they may melt because of the synthetic fabric on the form. And lastly standard size dressforms may be different than the size jeans that you wear. I always have to go a size or two up, just like most patterns. I suggest that you chose the best size that you want and you understand the measurements of that particular form.
That is all! I have been through a similar situation, spending $100 dollars on a piece of crap that will last you 2 years is not going to help you in the long run. Paying $200 for a dressform that will last you for a long time depending on how you take care of it, will actually end up saving you money.
Also, I know you are on a budget, but if you hem things, take things in on the side, make wallets, and charge $10 for each thing, if you get 10 things done you will have $100! Huzzah! You can afford a new dress form! All you have to do is make the time and it will be worth your money :)

This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/ST-SIZE6-Professional-Female-Collapsible-shoulder/dp/B0049IPGR6/ref=sr_1_28?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1348639289&sr=1-28
Good luck!